DONIC BlueGrip S1

Donic BlueGrip S1 – is an inverted (pips-in) table tennis rubber designed for attacking players (OFF-, OFF) seeking perfect spin and speed coordination. This rubber, featuring a slightly harder sponge than BlueGrip S2 (42.5°) but significantly softer than BlueGrip C1 (60°) or C2 (55°), is a hybrid solution filling the gap in the BlueGrip series. Created with the “Formula DONIC” technology, combining a sticky Chinese-style topsheet and a dynamic European-style sponge, BlueGrip S1 offers extreme spin, dynamic speed, and balanced control. It is a professional-grade rubber that maintains the feel and spin pleasure of the BlueGrip series but is tailored for stronger players for whom S2 is too soft. Made in Germany, ITTF approved, BlueGrip S1 is an ideal choice for aggressive attackers valuing precision and dynamics.

Key features:

• Rubber type: Pips-in (inverted)

• Speed: 113

• Spin: 120

• Control: 91

• High tension: Yes

• Tackiness: Yes

• Strategy: OFF-, OFF

• Surface: Sticky Chinese style

• Sponge hardness: Medium hardness (~47.5°, Hard)

• Sponge thickness: 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, Max

• Colors: Red, black

• Country of origin: Germany

• Approval: ITTF approved

Donic BlueGrip S1 stands out with its hybrid construction combining the advantages of Chinese and European rubbers:

• Sponge (medium hardness): Medium-hard sponge (~47.5°, medium-hard) with medium pores ensures a dynamic catapult effect and sensitive feel. Compared to BlueGrip S2 (42.5°), the S1 sponge is slightly harder, providing more speed and power but maintaining longer dwell time than C1 or C2. Sponge thickness (1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, Max) allows choosing between control (thinner) and speed (thicker). Dynamics are similar to Donic Acuda S1 but with stronger spin due to the sticky topsheet.

• Topsheet: Sticky Chinese-style topsheet provides extreme grip allowing maximum spin generation. The topsheet is sensitive and elastic, similar to Chinese rubbers like DHS Hurricane 3, but with a European feel reducing dust buildup. The topsheet is durable (~60–80 hours of intensive play), but requires regular cleaning with Donic cleaner and a damp sponge to maintain tackiness. Grip effectively “bites” 40+ plastic balls, ensuring stability in looping strokes and serves.

• High tension effect: The dynamic sponge with “Formula DONIC” technology delivers powerful catapult effect typical of European rubbers. Molecular tension enhances speed and spin, facilitating attacks against backspin and counterloop strokes. This effect is balanced compared to harder C1 or C2 versions.

• High flight arc: BlueGrip S1 generates a high flight arc stabilizing ball trajectory, ensuring extreme spin and allowing precise topspin strokes with a large safety margin. The arc is lower than C1 or C2 but still facilitates low balls and angled strokes.

• Tackiness: The sticky topsheet increases spin especially in serves and looping strokes, but is more sensitive to dust buildup than European rubbers such as Donic Bluefire M1 Turbo.

• Sensitivity to incoming spin: Due to the sticky topsheet, the rubber is sensitive to incoming spin, so blocking or chopping requires technique.

The rubber weighs about 50–55 g (trimmed, 2.0 mm thick), lighter than BlueGrip C1 (~65–70 g) or C2 (~55–60 g), thus suitable for players seeking balanced weight. Available in red and black, complying with ITTF rules. Recommended water-based glues (e.g., Donic Vario) and protective film.

Donic BlueGrip S1 technical specifications:

• Speed: 113 (fast). The rubber is fast, suitable for aggressive topspin strokes, looping strokes, flat hits, and counterattacks near the table or from mid-distance. The medium-hard sponge ensures balanced speed, lower than BlueGrip C1 (128) or C2 (123), but close to Bluefire M1 Turbo (113). Speed depends on player technique and blade.

• Spin: 120 (extreme). Thanks to the sticky topsheet, the rubber generates extreme spin, especially in looping strokes, serves, and open attacks. The high flight arc enhances spin, allowing easy lifting of backspin balls and performing spin shots with high rotation. Spin is slightly lower than C1 or C2 (125), but still among the highest in Donic range.

• Control: 91 (medium). The rubber offers better control than C1 (83) or C2 (88) due to softer sponge and more sensitive feel but still requires technique especially in blocking or passive strokes. The high flight arc and longer dwell time provide a safety margin in looping strokes.

Trajectory: High flight arc suitable for looping strokes and topspin attacks. The arc stabilizes ball flight, facilitates attacks against backspin and ensures accuracy in counterloop strokes. When blocking, racket angle must be closed due to high trajectory. Users praise “extreme spin,” “dynamics,” and “balanced control.”

Donic BlueGrip S1 suits offensive blades:

• Donic Waldner Senso Carbon: Maximizes speed and spin, suitable for OFF players.

• Stiga Clipper CR: Balances speed and spin, ideal for forehand or backhand.

• Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit: Provides power and precision, suitable for professionals.

• Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive: Emphasizes spin, suitable for looping strokes.

• Donic Persson Powerplay: Dynamic blade enhancing rubber speed.

The rubber pairs best with OFF- or OFF blades as the medium-hard sponge and sticky topsheet utilize blade elasticity. Suitable for both forehand and backhand, especially for players seeking balanced speed and spin.

Donic BlueGrip S1 is designed for players aiming for perfect speed and spin coordination:

• Attacking players (OFF-, OFF) controlling aggressive looping strokes, flat hits, and counterattacks.

• Spin game players seeking a rubber generating extreme spin and high flight arc.

• Versatile offense, suitable for forehand or backhand, especially looping and serves.

• Close to table and mid-distance play: Effective in looping strokes, open attacks, flat hits.

• Serves and reception: Sticky topsheet allows highly spinny serves; medium-hard sponge eases serve returns (flick, topspin).

• Attacks against backspin: High arc and grip allow easy lifting of low balls.

• Counterlooping: High accuracy and spin when performing counterloops.

The rubber is highly effective in looping strokes (9.7/10), serves (9.6/10), open attacks (9.5/10), flat hits (9.3/10), and counterattacks (9.2/10). Blocking (8.8/10) and chopping (7.8/10) require technique due to spin sensitivity. Users emphasize “tackiness,” “balanced dynamics,” and “control.”

• Speed (113), fast, suitable for aggressive strokes.

• Spin (120), extreme, highly effective in looping and serves.

• Control (91), medium, suitable for advanced players.

• Sticky topsheet: Maximum friction, strong spin.

• Medium-hard sponge: Balanced catapult effect, high arc.

• Lighter: Balanced weight (~50–55 g trimmed).

• Durability: Wear resistant.

• Spin sensitivity: Blocking or chopping requires technique.

• Challenging control: Requires technique, especially in passive strokes.

• Passive play: Not suitable for defensive strategies.

ITTF approved, suitable for competition. Donic BlueGrip S1 is popular among advanced players for its speed, spin, and balanced control. Effective against 40+ plastic balls, offers stability in looping strokes and serves. Suitable for forehand or backhand, especially for players seeking a hybrid Chinese-European style.

Donic BlueGrip S1 is a hybrid rubber combining sticky Chinese-style topsheet with European sponge dynamics. Medium-hard sponge, extreme spin, and balanced control guarantee speed, precision, and playing pleasure. An ideal choice for attacking players seeking perfect spin and speed coordination, Donic BlueGrip S1 is a hybrid masterpiece!